OPEN-ENDED SURVEY RESPONSES

The survey invited respondents to complete the sentence: “A good outcome for the Calahan property would be…” The responses were overwhelmingly rich and consistent. The vast majority described a community-facing, welcoming, publicly accessible place, often explicitly multi-generational, often park- or pavilion-adjacent, and frequently pairing gathering space with food in the form of food trucks, farmers markets, or a local café.

Selected quotes are organized below by theme.

A Welcoming, Public Community Space

• “A welcoming, community space for our community’s “front porch.””

• “A “living room” for the KP, with options for food, entertainment, and gathering.”

• “A welcoming space that helps the people who make their home within the entire geographic area of the Key Peninsula to feel united and part of a clan. We have a unique identity out here. Our location is protected by water from typical city sprawl and box store intrusion.” 

Multi-Generational & Family-Friendly

• “A welcoming space for all members of the KP community, for any age range.”

• “A welcoming space where young and older people can have a local place to gather without having to commute to the 360 park or Gig Harbor.” 

• “I’d love for this property to become a welcoming, family-friendly space where neighbors can gather, children and adults feel equally included, and local small businesses are supported.” 

• “Something that serves the community — providing a safe place for our younger generation to gather is at the top of that needed list.” 

Park, Pavilion & Open Space Vision

• “Small landscaped park with covered area, benches, and picnic tables.”

• “…a covered community pavilion and park-like setting with design to accommodate occasional markets, including on-site public restrooms.”

• “The building would be destroyed, and a community park with trees, shrubs, pathways, and benches in the forefront. Toward the back: a covered picnic area, a stage, food trucks, and public restrooms. Think of the Tuileries on a small scale.”

• “A small oasis upon entering Key Center. Greenery, native plants, benches. I like the idea of a community space for pop-ups, food trucks, and special events.”

• “A park for gatherings, sitting, music” 

Food, Markets, & Gathering Designed into the Space

• “Something that makes both sides of the highway in Key Center feel like a walkable little town. I love the idea of a pop-up/farmstand or farmers market type space to anchor local events, food trucks, artisans, and agriculture.”

• “A community open-air shed for multiple projects: music, sales, cooking, farmers markets, plays, movies, beer garden, oyster feeds. Seat 200 people. Food truck rotation.”

• “A food truck pavilion could get a variety of food into the area. A shared pavilion for seating with lights and plants. Low cost to get it going. Adds to the look and feel of the area.”

• “A well-curated gathering space supported by local food carts, indoor and outdoor spaces that capture the character of the KP. Check out ‘The Barn’ in Sisters, OR and ‘The Bite’ in Tumalo, OR for examples.”

• “A community commons: covered outdoor seating, weekly farmers market, live music space, various food trucks occasionally.” 

Community Character & Local Pride

• “Something that represents this beautiful and diverse community — keeping with the small town feel.”

• “Creating “downtown” Key Center as a Destination rather than an Intersection.”

• “To intentionally develop something that ENHANCES what we already have in Key Center and reflects our pride in the natural beauty we value when we choose to make the KP our home.”

• “For it to be developed into a local business or public space that encourages community gathering and reflects the values, spirit, and culture of the Key Peninsula.”

• “A place where the beauty and connectedness of our community could shine.”